Dose

Dasabuvir (BEIGE tablet) – 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet in the evening.

Ribavirin (BLUE tablet) – the dose for ribavirin is different for each person depending on their body weight and kidney function. Your doctor will calculate the correct dose for you.

Keep taking your Viekira Pak-RBV tablets every day – you will need to take them for 12 weeks.

Always take these medicines exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label will tell you how much to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.

How to take Viekira Pak-RBV

Swallow your tablets whole with a glass of water at the same times each day.

These tablets are best taken with food. It helps the medicine work better.

Swallow your tablets whole. Do not chew, crush or break them.

If you forget your dose of the PINK tablet, and it is more than 12 hours late, the missed dose should not be taken, and the next dose should be taken at the normal time.

If you forget your dose of the BEIGE tablet, and it is more than 6 hours late, the missed dose should not be taken, and the next dose should be taken at the normal time.

If you forget your dose of the BLUE tablet, the missed dose should not be taken, and the next dose should be taken at the normal time.

Monitoring

You may need to have blood tests to check haemoglobin (Hb) and liver function. Your doctor or nurse will tell you how often these should be done and which tests you need.

Pregnancy

Do not take Viekira Pak-RBV if you or your partner are pregnant. You may need a pregnancy test before, during and after treatment. It is important that extra care is taken to avoid pregnancy, you will need two forms of contraception to make sure.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, the tablets in Viekira Pak-RBV can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Side effects

What should I do?

Nausea (feeling sick)

Tiredness and weakness

Trouble sleeping

These are quite common when you first start taking Viekira Pak-RBV and usually go away with time

Headache

Try paracetamol. Check that this can be taken with other medications you may take

Cough, shortness of breath

Tell your doctor

Signs of worsening problems with your liver such as yellow skin or eyes, pain in the tummy, swelling of the legs and feet

Tell your doctor immediately or ring HealthLine on 0800 611 116

Signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rashes, redness, itching, blisters on the skin

Viekira Pak® can cause a rash that is not serious, but it can also cause a rash that could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction, so tell your doctor right away if you see a rash

Interactions

When certain medications are taken together, an unintended reaction may occur – this is known as an interaction. The tablets in Viekira Pak-RBV interact with a lot of other medications and herbal supplements, always check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more

If you have any questions about your medicines or about the combination of medicines that you are taking, or if you are worried about any side effects or interactions please talk to your pharmacist or doctor. The following links provide further information on Viekira Pak-RBV

Medsafe NZ Data sheets

NZ Formulary

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